2 Samuel #21: an exposition of 2 Samuel 19:1-43. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 11, 2013.
Intro:
Do you ever have that uneasy feeling that things are just not right? Things seem okay. The right words are being spoken. There is just that nagging feeling that things are not as they appear. You know, just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean they are not out to get you! David has been on the run. Absalom garnered support and attempted a coup. By God’s grace Absalom was defeated. In fact Absalom died a humiliating death. His mutilated body lies under a pile of rocks. Not a very dignified monument for the would-be king. But like all the enemies of God, he was crushed. David is now welcomed back to the holy city…or is he? As David returns to Jerusalem it becomes apparent all is not well. The war is won but winning the peace will prove to be a more difficult task. Our text this evening is found in the 19th chapter of 2 Samuel.
Text: 2 Samuel 19:1-43
Context:
- Word has reached David the kingdom is secured.
- The rebels have been defeated.
- David asked, “And the young man Absalom? Is he well?”
- He is told Absalom is dead.
- David goes into a period of deep mourning.
Note 18:33 – And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!
My son – 5 times
Absalom – 3 times
His grief is understandable.
You must feel for him.
Regardless of what he’s done – he was David’s son.
Joab, David’s commander, always the practical political and military leader comes to David and has little patience with his grief.
Note what he does – 19:1-7.
You must remember Absalom rebelled against God. He, in fact, assumed God’s role when he declared himself king. As a God-rejector he got what he deserved. David did not have the luxury of mourning in this fashion due to the fact that he was the king.
Look at what his mourning has done:
- 19:2 – victory was turned to mourning
- 19:3 – people stole into the city like those who are ashamed when they flee in battle.
- 19:5 – …you’ve covered the face of your servants with shame.
- 19:6 – you’ve loved those who hated you and hated those who have loved you.
- Thus Absalom commands the king! (19:7)
Joab is a hard man to read. He is God’s instrument here. This is the right thing for David to do. At other times he defies the word of the king, later he will murder the man David replaces him with. Was Joab God’s instrument or a self-centered, self-serving jerk? Yes!
Absalom is dead but the war is not over. The kingdom may be safe but it is not settled. There is work to be done. Joab shakes David out of his mourning and sets him about the business of governing. This is a critical time. David goes out and begins the process – 19:8.
That brings us up to the point I want to focus on this evening. As we work our way through 2 Samuel 19:9-43 we are going to see…
Thesis: Navigating the troubled waters of divided loyalties, strained relationships and selfish ambitions demands godly leadership.
There had to be a good amount of unrest for Absalom to have gotten as far as he did. The people were dissatisfied. The young, handsome, charismatic Absalom had captured the hearts and imaginations of the people. Now he’s dead. David is showing signs of his old self – the fierce yet godly warrior – but do they want the old man back? The supporters of Saul have found the king to be vulnerable. The old animosities between the northern and southern tribes have been rekindled. The kingdom may be “safe” but it’s not settled. There is much to be done. Brute force will not do it. The demand for loyalty will not guarantee it. It is going to require godly leadership.
I want to point out three characteristics of such leadership from our text.
- Godly leadership demands a discerning eye and diplomatic skill. (19:9-15)
- Godly leadership demands a gracious heart and an understanding spirit. (19:16-39)
- Godly leadership demands realistic expectations. (19:40-43)